'Women, Peace and Security' agenda at the heart of the European Union’s foreign policy

To tackle contemporary peace and security challenges, it is fundamental to further strengthen global commitment to women’s full involvement in peace processes, from conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction.

The European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) actively supports a wide range of initiatives for the realisation of the WPS agenda on the ground, cutting across all policy areas.

In the framework of the ten UN Resolutions adopted since 2000, composing the WPS agenda, the EU offers concrete support to prevent and counter conflict-related sexual violence, but also to uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law and to end impunity for international crimes. Dedicated attention is also given to the meaningful participation and leadership of women and girls in conflict prevention and resolution in the entire conflict cycle, from the early stage of mediation processes, peace negotiations, transitional justice, to the long-term recovery and reconstruction. In line with the Strategy and Action Plan to Enhance Women’s Participation in Civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions 2021-2024, FPI supports the implementation of the WPS agenda in these CSDP missions.

These actions are underpinned by the EU’s steadfast commitment to the universal values of human rights and gender equality, but also for a sustainable resolution of conflicts and crises as illustrated in several regions of the world.